Rewind 2005: APD and race
Death, disaster and anger are three things associated with the Austin Police Department in 2005.
"Oftentimes we suffer a step backwards because the community's perception of what happened may differ from the perception that the police department has," Austin Police Department Chief Stan Knee said.
In February, the black community was shocked when the popular Midtown Live Club burned down. Even more disheartening was that officers on the scene were found sending electronic text messages to one another insinuating only good could come from the club's disaster.
"They were very embarrassed by the fact that the public became aware of the messages. They clearly understood that the messages impacted the trust we have between the community and this department," Knee said.
Now, the club has a temporary location with plans to rebuild a permanent spot in the future.
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Before the dust could settle, in June, Officer Julie Schroeder shot and killed 18-year-old Daniel Rocha after a traffic stop that came during an undercover drug operation.
It sparked outrage in a community already concerned about racial injustice by the APD.
"We haven't forgotten the Owens case. We think that case is a black eye on the city. We haven't forgotten the King case. There's a lot of hurt in this community still," Nelson Linder of the local NAACP said.
Schroeder was fired for her actions. Schroeder is appealing her dismissal. An arbitrator will make a decision in her case in the spring.
It was a decision that pushed the Austin Police Association to ask for the chief's resignation.
"This is the last in a long string of injustices we will accept from this chief. We're tired of seeing careers and lives ruined as this administration leaves another officer hanging out to dry," Austin Police Association President Mike Sheffield said.
The officer's loss was a gain in trust for family and supporters of Daniel Rocha. They say, for once, hope was restored.
"I think we're going in a good direction. I've been concerned and I've been very sad and it's been very hard for me as a parent going through holidays and things like that," Daniela Rocha, Rocha's mother, said.
Changes in the police department have been made.
"I think there's better communication, there's reform in terms of police misconduct and brutality," Linder said.
Austinites hope the progress continues.
The department's goal is to make the community safer, Knee said. He believes everyone can agree on that.